To look into the issues connected with ‘high’ handling charges at Kochi port and also at the ICTT Vallarpadam, the Cochin Port Trust has constituted a committee. A decision on this was taken at the board of trustees meeting following widespread complaints from port users on high handling charges, forcing them to divert their cargo to neighbouring ports on the coastline.

Due to the European recession, the number of cruise vessels sailing to Kochi/Cochin port this fiscal are considerably less when compared to last year.

Restrictions clamped on sand mining in Kerala are going to help Kochi port to gain more revenue. Real estate companies are expected to depend on imported sand to meet the growing demand and Kochi port sees it as an opportunity to enhance its cargo throughput.

An export processing centre and Gate Module have been launched by the Customs Department at ICTT Vallarpadam for speedy export clearance

For the cash-starved Kochi port depreciating rupee is proving to be a boon, at least in terms of collections through vessel-related charges. The port officials say that due to the weakening of the Indian currency the port has earned Rs 10 crore this fiscal.

The vessel mv BBC Victoria sailed from Kochi with three load containers of commercial explosives for Indonesia. The Indian Explosives company sent the first container cargo recently.

Following objections raised by Kochin port users, Kochi Customs has postponed by three months its decision to implement the en-bloc movement of import containers from ICTT to a private container freight station. The stakeholders at the port alleged that the decision would involve an additional expenditure of Rs 5,000/teu for moving the boxes.

India's largest importer of liquid gas, Petronet LNG has received the maiden cargo liquefied natural gas or LNG at its just constructed Kochi import terminal in Kerala but the ship hasn't been able to dock at the port because of dredging issues. Petronet on August 12 received a ship carrying LNG from Qatar but the ship could not dock at the port. The ship needs a particular level of clear water depth to navigate and dock at the port.

Kochi Port has various advantages in offering bunkering service to ocean-going ships such as high-quality bunkers, pipeline jetty loading facility for supply to ships at outer sea, a top official of HPCL said. The port offers competitive rates among South Asian ports, lowest tax rates for bunkers to foreign vessels besides offering easy access to ancillary mari